CRA: Santa Maria preview

MILLER LEADS CRA SPRINTS TO SANTA MARIA

Blake Miller of Yorba Linda, Calif. leads the Lucas Oil USAC/CRA Sprint Cars to Saturday night's race at the Santa Maria (Calif.) Speedway, but his lead isn't as comfortable as he would like.

He's just four points ahead of David Cardey of Riverside, Calif., with defending series champ Mike Spencer of Temecula only 33 back. Garrett Hansen (38 back), Danny Sheridan (48) and Greg Bragg (69) are also within a single race of catching the leader.

Saturday night's race marks the only appearance of the USAC/CRA Sprints at the 1/3-mile dirt oval, but in true USAC/CRA style, could extend the list of new winners this season. So far the first seven races produced different race winners, Miller among them. Other winners have been Darren Hagen, Cole Whitt, Rickie Gaunt, Spencer, Cardey and Matt Mitchell.

Tyler Brown, currently seventh in the standings, and Nic Faas, currently competing in the USAC National Sprint Series, won last year's races at Santa Maria. Saturday's event is part of the "Ron Otto Memorial" program.

-credit: usac